Taylor urges 'strongest possible action'

UEFA have been urged to take the "strongest possible action" against Serbia at Thursday's disciplinary hearing into racist chanting during the European Under-21 play-off against England.

The Serbian FA has been charged with alleged racist chanting by fans and both associations over the behaviour of players at the end of the game last month. Professional Football Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said there would be huge disquiet if Serbia were only given a slap on the wrist if found guilty.

Taylor told the Press Association: "If the Serbian FA are found guilty then we would want UEFA to take the strongest possible action. Everybody was shocked by the racist chanting at that match and there needs to be a deterrent."

He went on: "We have had our own issues in dealing with incidents of racism of course, such as the length of time taken to deal with the John Terry case, but I don't believe it is a case of people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

"I believe the FA have grasped the nettle and are trying to bring in improvements."

The racism charge was discussed by FA chairman David Bernstein and sports minister Hugh Robertson at a meeting with UEFA president Michel Platini in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Bernstein told reporters on Wednesday: "I think UEFA understand our position and that there is a degree of sympathy from Platini but I don't want to say anything more than that."

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle has previously called for Serbia to be banned over the racism during the match in Krusevac on October 16.

Sunderland's Danny Rose was sent off after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in reaction to the abuse he was receiving.

He later claimed the abuse was racial. The Serbian FA later blamed Rose and accused him of "inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar" behaviour.